We would like to inform that the Government of Japan will require all foreign nationals entering Japan, with the exception of the following categories, to provide fingerprints and facial photograph at immigration control procedure.
Categories of Exception:
(1)Special permanent residents
(2)Persons under 16 years of age
(3)Those persons performing activities which fall under the status of residence for ‘Diplomat’ or ‘Official’
(4)Those persons who have been invited by the head of any national administrative organization
(5)Those persons who are prescribed by the Ministry of Justice ordinance as equivalent to either (3) or (4)
New Immigration Procedures
Applicants will be required to follow the following procedures.
(1)A person wishing to enter Japan must submit his/her passport to the immigration control officer.
(2)Once the immigration control officer has explained the procedures that are to be followed, the person wishing to enter Japan will be asked to place the index fingers of both hands on a digital fingerprint reader. The fingerprint information will be read and stored electromagnetically.
(3)A facial photograph will then be taken, using the camera located at the top of the digital fingerprint reader.
(4)The immigration control officer will then conduct a short interview
(5)On completion of the above procedures, the person wishing to enter Japan will receive his/her passport from the immigration control officer.
The new law is due to enter into force by November 23, 2007.
